LF Advice on Gaming Build

0451 · Nov 6, 2016

Hey guys, I am building a new PC for gaming. I have not built a gaming PC in more than 10 years, so I am starting from scratch.

Approx build date: From now to mid January

Budget range: $3k to 3.5k including everything (monitor, mose / keyboard)

System usage from most to least important: Gaming (open world / fps / mmo). I may occasionally browse the web or watch a movie, but 512gb will be enough space until I decide to add a storage HDD.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Do you need to buy an OS: Yes

Overclocking: Yes

Preferred websites for parts: I live next to Fry's, so it would be nice to exchange components without an RMA. Other than that, any reputable site will do.

Location: El Segundo (Los Angeles)

Parts Preference:

I am about to pre-order from Samsung using 10% off coupon:
34" Samsung CF791 curved ultrawidescreen 3440/1440 w/ free sync
Samsung 960 Pro NvME M.2 512gb

I plan on buying a Core i7 7700k and Radeon 490x in early January.

I am looking for suggestions on:
PSU to support 3 watercooling loops and a future 2nd GPU
Memory
Motherboard
Mouse/Keyboard
Case to fit 1x 360mm radiator and 2x 240 mm radiators (will be watercooling CPU and GPU)

Also welcome to objections to the components I already plan on buying.

Thanks!

Ryan

King Dranzer · Nov 7, 2016

I would recommend you not to pre-order anything. Reason the path you choose. You are going i7-7700K and Radeon 490x in which both did not release yet. Secondly there is a option of GTX1080Ti which is coming in January. Check out the benchmarks and then decide. If you get Freesync monitor then it will be useless if you choose GTX1080Ti. Would recommend not to decide it so soon.
You will get better results if you come back here in Jan. We can provide better help at that time.

But still if you want advice regarding PSU Keyboard and Mouse we can help.

0451 · Nov 7, 2016

Thanks for the input. I know it is risky to pre-order, but I am 99% sure this is the monitor I want, as the specs are far superior to Asus and Acer options and the price is $200 less ($300 w/ 10% off). This means I am already committed to the 490x. Worst case scenario, it is only slightly better than the 1080, in which case I'll get 2. However, I'm confident that the AMD card will be a good value, considering their track record and how good a value the 480x is.

As for the PSU, I am considering a Corsair RM1000i since it has good reviews and more than enough power for 2x 250 watt cards and watercooling.

I am completely lost when it comes to choosing RAM and a case. Case should support 2x 240mm and 1x 360mm radiator. Ideally in a mid-tower.

King Dranzer · Nov 7, 2016

Unless you have already ordered it I would recommend to hold that plan down(Even if ordered it can be canceled or returned). I am not against AMD GPU but the thing is that I feel bad to see people spend that huge amount and not get what its worth for. I would recommend you to wait for their release. When spending this huge amount one should never rush with things.

I am not getting on with what specific features are you talking about(please can you list them out so that it will be easy for me to understand) because in PC world ASUS ROG monitors are considered to be one of the top class units something like Lamborghini of PC Monitors. Whereas SAMSUNG is Porsche. So any day I would spend extra to get Lamborghini over Porsche if I have money. In this case you do have.

For $3-3.5K you can fit in GTX1080Ti SLI build with 4K G-Sync Monitor then why would you limit it to a 490X Crossfire.

I am not trying to push you away from what you were planning, but I am only trying to provide best performance and quality you can possibly get.

King Dranzer · Nov 7, 2016

0451 · Nov 7, 2016

I am dead set on curved ultrawide over 4k. The aspect ratio and curve is more interesting to me than the resolution. Also, i would like to play games maxed out, which will not be possible with all games at 4k. At 4k, i may need to get a 6 core processor as well. Car comparisons aside, the new Samsung has a 3000:1 contrast ratio vs 1000:1 for Asus and Acer. It also has a sharper curve and is more attractive overall. Refresh rate is native 100hz vs overclocked 100hz for the Asus and Acer.

I realize i can get more GPU for the money, but I am more interested in a single watercooled GPU than dual air cooled. The pump and reservior can be reused for my next upgrade. If i want to keep the same performance, I only need to buy one card vs two. I would consider a Titan, but voltage is locked.

I do appreciate all input

King Dranzer · Nov 8, 2016

Sorry for my late reply. It was night here and in the morning had some work to do.

K even if you don't wanna go with 4K and want curved monitor.

That contrast ratio of SAMSUNG is static ratio and the one showed for ASUS and Acer is not static contrast ratio.

ASUS and Acer both have higher color range when compared to SAMSUNG.

The biggest difference is that ASUS and Acer are IPS and SAMSUNG is VS which brings in lot more reason to go for ASUS or Acer. With curved monitor IPS sits better.

ASUS comes with auto overclocking feature which when reads GPU greater than GTX980. That shouldn't be a problem.

For non IPS Free-Sync monitor it is bit over priced.

Looks hmmm SAMSUNG is sleek and plain ASUS is bit bulky and comes with LED lighting. That can be the only thing that cannot satisfy your requirement.

Single GPU water cooling. Are you planning on custom watercooling or hybrid cooling.

0451 · Nov 8, 2016

I work late, so good timing

The Samsung advertises 125% Adobe RGB with Quantum Dot color technology. Basically that translates to over-the-top Wizard of Oz colors with never before seen hues. I am fine with 99% RGB but at least the Samsung is no slouch in the color department. Also, im pretty sure 3000:1 is static, but that's not specified. Samsung does, however, go out of their way to state that there is no light bleed at the edges of the screen, so i am optimistic about black levels. Customer reviews of the Acer and Asus (same panel) are not unanimously good.

I am not an industry expert, but based on what I read, IPS and VA are different, but neither is better. The VA Samsung panel is just another break in the waves.

LCD is a fast advancing technology. Although the Asus/Acer panel was great a year ago, there is simply newer and better tech on the horizon.

The Samsung should last a good 5 years until 5K uktrawide AMOLED panels come into fashion and can be driven by single GPUs at 60 fps.

As for the water cooling, I am not sure whether to go custom or boxed. As of now, I'm leaning towards single GPU with the best possilble water cooling (360mm) system that can be re-used for my next 2 upgrades. I'd rather replace 1 card and 1 waterblock than replace 2 cards.

Chugalug_ · Nov 8, 2016

If you're going high end, AMD is not a good option this generation.
They're focusing more on the value market at the moment.
Their flagship Polaris card for example was the power of a 970, I'd expect the flagship Vega GPU to be something similar to a 1080.
On top of that, nobody has even said a word regarding the specs of these cards, and AMD have said that it will release in the first half of 2016; could be January, could be June.
Too speculative to plan around now.
The Kaby Lake series of CPUs is different, they have a confirmed release slot and leaked specs which speculate a 10% improvement, they're going to be out around Feb for sure.
Go for a 1080ti when they release for that budget.
They're speculated for early next year, Q1.

Don't buy anything yet, even the monitor.
Reviews aren't out yet, could have poor OSD/software implementation or issues, NEVER preorder monitors or any hardware for that matter.
I second Dranzer's opinion, don't buy the Samsung, and read the specs statements he's made above, very valid.
It seems too good to be true for the claims, and that's marketing for you at its finest.
Stuff will only get cheaper as time goes on, and you'll be able to get more performance for the money.

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